OUR STORY

OUR HISTORY
Formerly a Bates college professor, Tom Moser left teaching in 1972 to restore the lost art of fine woodworking by making one-of-a-kind furniture in an old Grange Hall in New Gloucester, Maine. His wife Mary managed the selling and finances, while their four sons trained as young apprentices.

There was no business plan, no product, no sense of marketing, and, to their banker's horror, no cash or cash flow.

The first advertisement, which ran in Down East magazine, read, "Antiques are prized for their qualities of age, design and purity of craftsmanship. Our furniture is inspired by traditional design, constructed with pride and executed by hand, restoring a relationship between man and his practical art." Since then little has changed in the company's intent or product.

Tom's early designs bore a strong resemblance to Shaker, Queen Anne, Pennsylvania Dutch and other antique forms. From spiral stairs to a waterwheel, from wooden canteens to a harpsichord, the company's position was, "if it's made of wood, we can do it." In time this search for a proprietary form was synthesized into a coherent and unified body of work spanning many design genres for the home, office and academic environment.

During the last forty years, the company has grown from a one-man operation to nearly 70 cabinetmakers (about half men and half women). Tom Moser continues to conceive new designs and stays involved in many aspects of the business. His youngest son, David Moser is an award-winning furniture designer in his own right. Andy Moser is an accomplished craftsman and works in the shop, while Aaron Moser directs Moser Contract, the dedicated team within Thos. Moser which services the design and architectural community focusing on the contract market.

In 1987 the company built a new workshop facility in Auburn, Maine, not far from its original location. In addition to mailing catalogs, Thos. Moser Cabinetmakers operates six showrooms located in Auburn and Freeport, Maine, as well as in Boston, New York, Greenwich, Philadelphia, and San Francisco.

"Tom Moser left teaching in 1972 to start making one-of-a-kind furniture in an old Grange Hall in New Gloucester, Maine."

"Our furniture is inspired by traditional design, constructed with pride and executed by hand, restoring a relationship between man and his practical art."